Photographer's Note

The Gate of the ancient Roman Agora of Athens, dedicated to Athena Archegetis (the leader).
I took this photo passing through the district of Plaka with a friend. It looks like a calm shot but it was really hurried because I wanted to capture the birds before they all settled down on the dome of the church.

From http://penelope.uchicago.edu/~grout/encyclopaedia_romana/greece/architecture/gate.htm

The inscription on the architrave indicates that this monumental gateway to the Roman Agora was dedicated by the people to Athena Archegetis (the Leader) and constructed with donations from Julius Caesar and later from Augustus. The marble propylon, which was built sometime in the archonship of Nicias (11-9 BC), stands at the western entrance to the commercial marketplace, a large peristyle court with unfluted Ionic columns that sheltered a row of shops along the eastern side, where there was similar but smaller gateway next to the Temple of the Winds.
[….] in 1890 a series of systematic archaeological excavations undertaken. The marketplace was found to be 111 meters long and 98 meters wide and, surprisingly, the Gate of Athena Archegetis not to be on axis.

Hi Ourania
its very strange to see such ancient architecture mixed with some new architecture. certainly wouldn't find such combinations here in vancouver :)
bright and luminous, full of attractive colors.
cheers
craig

Hello Ourania,
I´m qute busy lately,so will try to catch up with your photos in the next few days.
Ancient Greek remainings on every step-Athens is a real paradise for photographers.
And also this juxtaposition of ancient architecture and modern houses makes the shot so intriguing and fascinating at the same time.And the last thing I love about it is this strong light,which helps you not only to bring out architectural detail,but also to make the overall atmosphere of the scene so pleasant.

Hi
The architecture of the building, such as Persepolis in Iran
Some of the images in addition to beautiful, interesting and amazing
Historic buildings and interesting for me to watch
The building also has a nice background image
Have a nice day

Hello Ourania,
it is nice to show how the ancient remains blend with modern life in Greece. Your photo shows this place not as a some kind of sad and detached ruins but the ones which are part of every day routine. The women chatting next to it do not even pay attention to it any more :-)
Good composition and very nice light which resulted in pretty warm colors.
Thanks for sharing and have a nice day
Kamila

Happy has Greece the old gates preserved for our grandchildren.
Thank you very much for your interesting notes.
You did excellent addition the elder couple for the scale
I can enjoy of these picture.
An extraordinarily architecture picture.
Composition and presentation are excellent chose.
Very well done, TFS.

Hello Ourania,
A very nice composition where the gate creates a strong and eye-catching diagonal. I like the clarity and crispness of the light and the fine colours. This is a fine combination of street-life and cultural heritage. The nearest couple are well placed but it's a slight pity that both faces are hidden.

Hello Ourania,
You've chosen a very interesting point of view to present the ancient Roman Agora and its imposing place in the town. I like very much the use of such rich perspectives and the harmonious assortment of several architectural characteristics that gradually lead to the background and make us raise our glance to meet the church tower. Lighting is excellent and the definition of details, textures and colours is superb.
The people in front add nice life to the scene.
Well done.
Greetings
Miro

Hi Ourania,
A very interesting gate here, beautiful proportions. A good capture with some glimpses of the modern street life. The inclusion of people nearly always improves the values of pictures here on TE.
Kind regards
Gunnar

Kalispera Ourania,
Ancient monument preserved well and mingle in a more modern surrounding's. Amazingly five pillars holding the beam for centuries, as it was massively built back in time.
Fine clear shot, light managed well and good contrast of colors, and people added the life factor with the old stones on photo.
Best regards,
Ike

Hi Ourania,
Its the little touches like the birds around the dome that make a photo so much more special, so congratulations on capturing this in such an apparent calm manner and getting the result you wanted! its a beautiful place, and when I see these kind of shots, I think how wonderful it must be to live in a city where a structure with this kind of history stands in the centre of a busy urban place like this.
As well the birds on the dome, the light also was good to you allowing such wonderful detail to come out and to create these fine shadows.
Thanks as always
Noel

Hi Ourania,
This is super with the fantastic architecture and the daily life going on around. I love how the sun is catching the gate and looking through to the super yellow house the two compliment one another. So much to view, I also love the pigeons flying around the dome of the church.
lovely,
Cheers, Iain.

Hi Ourania
Like your shooting angle, and the women draw viewers adding to a sense of scale and strong focal point leading to the ancient gate. Detail is great befitted much from side warm light & shadows and rich in colours with some other interests around to complement this capture. Congrats and TFS
Best regards

Your hurried shot sure turned out much sharper than mine! :) What you mentioned regarding the birds signifies a true photographers eye, the realization of that added element and effect does not go unrewarded. Quick reactions and an awareness of the entire scene pays dividends, and this is a wonderful example!

The gate looks out of place to me, this is something I would expect to see in an ancient site with many other ruins...not in what appears to be a developed neighborhood!? You'll have to excuse my ignorance, as I'm guessing this is probably more common that I would ever suspect...especially in a city that is considered to be cradle of Western civilization. Never ceases to amaze me that these types of structures are still standing after thousands of years, a true testament of a strong past....impressive to say the least! Both the birds and people in passing help to make this a lively image, along with the vibrant yellow backdrop of the adjacent buildings. Bright and beautiful, taken quickly or not, this turned out just fine. :) Enjoy the day ahead.

Hello Ourania,
I like this picture, which is both a street photography and architecture. Characters give life to all and the light is interesting.
Your comment is instructive.
Good evening.
Sincerely,
Jean Philippe

Hola Ourania querida
So not only reflections but a good composition in diagonal of contrast between so old arch and more actual buildings
And you are right the flying pidgeons add mouvement at the capture
Like people and like the two ones at the front quite unaware of your capture
Very well done
Warm regards
Maria

Hi Ourania,
Congratulations on your timing with the pigeons. I also like the inclusion of daily life with the two people chatting in the f/g and the schoolgirls pushing and pulling in the distance. Hurried or not, the composition is well-balanced by people.
Regards,
MT

Hello dear friend
your photos are a great advirtisement of Greece
excellent presentation of this historic gate
with the couple in the foreground adding life
you ve chosen the best poiunt of view to
present this gate of the ancient Roman Agora
of Athens dedicated to Athena Archegetis
thanks for sharing your useful notes with us
regards
have a nice new day
Costantino